As Zhang Wenyong's words fell, everyone in the arena perked up, their eyes gleaming with anticipation as they looked toward the center of the square. The first major event of Qingyu City, the competition of the four major powers, was finally about to begin.
In the center of the square, there was only one arena. This meant the competition would proceed match by match. Although it was a contest among the four major powers, only junior disciples at the eighth level of Body Refining or above were eligible to participate. For instance, the Lin family had only six qualified members. Combined, the four powers had fewer than thirty participants. With matches progressing one after another, it wouldn't take long.
Having said this, Zhang Wenyong returned to his seat. A steward of the City Lord's Mansion, a martial artist at the Qi Gathering stage, leaped onto the arena in the center of the square and announced loudly:
"I am Zhang Ping, steward of the City Lord's Mansion. I will oversee the competition and preside over the matches. Let me first explain the rules. The top ten will earn the right to go to Flowing Cloud Sect. Additionally, the top ten will receive generous rewards. The top ten will each get a bottle of Blood Nourishing Pills. Third place will receive three bottles of Blood Nourishing Pills and a Blood Ginseng. Second place will be awarded a fourth-rank mid-grade martial art."
As his words ended, the arena erupted in uproar. Everyone was stunned, turning their gazes toward the high platform and Zhang Ping on the arena. Blood Nourishing Pills were second-rank top-grade pills that nurtured qi and blood, while Blood Ginseng was a third-rank low-grade spiritual herb that strengthened them. These rewards were understandable. But what truly shocked everyone was the offering of a fourth-rank martial art as a prize. Fourth-rank martial arts were techniques that only Qi Transformation experts could fully unleash. In all of Qingyu City, only the four major powers possessed them, and even among them, they were extremely rare. These were the most important inherited martial arts, accessible only to a few like the clan leader, grand elder, or young master. Normally, they were kept hidden at all costs. To offer one as a reward today left everyone both stunned and bewildered.
Even more astonishing was that this reward, surpassing even the first-place prize in previous competitions, was only for second place. They could hardly imagine what the first-place reward would be. With great anticipation, they looked at Zhang Ping.
Zhang Ping continued: "First place will be awarded a Qi Condensation Pill!"
As his voice fell, the arena fell silent for a moment. Then, it erupted into lively commotion.
"Did I hear that right? A Qi Condensation Pill as a reward?"
"Are the four major powers really being this generous?"
"No wonder second place gets a fourth-rank martial art—first place gets a Qi Condensation Pill!"
Everyone buzzed with discussion, their eyes filled with shock. The Qi Condensation Pill was a third-rank mid-grade pill, but its value far exceeded many fourth-rank treasures. As its name suggested, it could help an Acupoint Opening martial artist condense a true qi seed and step into the Qi Gathering stage. But its effects went far beyond that. First, using a Qi Condensation Pill guaranteed a breakthrough to the Qi Gathering stage. Second, the energy within the pill could also break through several more acupoints during the breakthrough, strengthening one's foundation by several tenths. With such high efficacy, the Qi Condensation Pill's value was extraordinary. In fact, it wasn't even sold in Qingyu City. It could only be purchased in the nearest prefectural city, Qingyu Prefecture. Even there, it was a restricted item; without a certain status, money alone couldn't buy it. For Qingyu City, the Qi Condensation Pill was like a legendary treasure. No one had expected that not only would a Qi Condensation Pill appear in Qingyu City today, but it would also be the first-place reward.
For a while, the arena couldn't calm down. Everyone became even more eager for the upcoming matches. With such generous rewards, the junior disciples were all brimming with fighting spirit.
"A Qi Condensation Pill? Interesting." Lin Xuan also showed a look of interest.
After a few breaths, Zhang Ping on the arena raised his hands to gesture for silence, and the crowd gradually quieted down. Zhang Ping continued: "That covers the rewards. Now, let's move to the official matches. I will serve as the referee. The first round is a points competition. Matches are one-on-one; the winner gets one point, the loser none. Finally, the top ten will be ranked by points. The match list is with me. It was jointly drafted by the high-ranking members of the four major powers to ensure fairness. When I call your name, come to the arena. First match: Lin Gu versus Wu Qilian!"
Having said this, he stepped aside. Everyone's attention focused on the arena. From the eastern viewing stand, in the Lin and Wu family sections, two disciples stepped out. They leaped onto the arena and began to fight. Both were at the eighth level of Body Refining, with similar skill levels. After dozens of moves, Wu Qilian, exhausted, was knocked off the arena by Lin Gu, deciding the outcome.
"Second match: Zhang Qingshan versus Chen Li!" Zhang Ping's voice rang out again. Two disciples then took the arena and began their duel.
Time passed slowly. Match after match went by. Soon, five or six had concluded.
"Next match: Lin Xuan versus Chen Feng!" Zhang Ping announced.
As his words fell, everyone perked up, their gazes converging on Lin Xuan in the eastern viewing stand, filled with even greater anticipation. Lin Xuan was hailed as the top genius of Qingyu City, the most talked-about person recently. Now, they could truly witness his strength.
Lin Xuan patted Lin Shiyun's small hand beside him, rose with a calm smile, and walked toward the arena. It was time to earn energy points.
From the Chen family section, a young man stood up, his face falling as he muttered about his bad luck. He never expected his first opponent to be Lin Xuan, the top genius of Qingyu City. A reputation like that left no room for doubt—this match would likely end in his loss. Still, he wouldn't concede outright. How could he retreat without truly seeing Lin Xuan's strength? Besides, fighting the top genius would sound impressive to others. So, he too stepped out of the viewing stand.
Soon, both were on the arena, facing each other from a distance. Zhang Ping glanced at them, pausing a moment longer on Lin Xuan, then announced: "Begin the match!"
Chen Feng, his expression serious, cupped his hands and said, "Lin Xuan, I know you're strong, but I'm no pushover..." He was about to share a few more thoughts, but Lin Xuan didn't give him the chance.
"No need to talk. Get down!" "Rolling Stone Fist!"
The moment the words rang out, Chen Feng's expression shifted dramatically. Somehow, Lin Xuan had already appeared before him, completely unnoticed. Chen Feng was stunned, but he had no time to think further. Lin Xuan's fist came crashing down. The fist's momentum was like rolling boulders, shattering layers of air with astonishing force. Chen Feng instinctively tried to block, but felt a sharp pain in his arm. After a dizzying spin, he found himself below the arena. Staring at his situation, Chen Feng was momentarily dazed, unable to process what had happened.